How Sportsmail'sNeil Ashton led the way on Di Matteo's Chelsea sacking

Pep Guardiola was offered Roberto Di Matteo’s job at Chelsea after they were humbled 2-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League in October.

Sportsmail can today reveal that the former Barcelona coach – who has always been Abramovich’s No1 target to replace Di Matteo at Stamford Bridge – was approached in the aftermath of the defeat in Donetsk on October 23.

Chelsea were so confident that the deal would be concluded for Guardiola, who has been in New York on sabbatical, that they started making plans for Di Matteo’s exit.

Start it up: Chelsea's defeat in Donetsk started the ball rolling with Guardiola

Although Guardiola wanted to wait
until the new year before returning to management, Chelsea wanted
him sooner and that has proved to be the stumbling block.

After firing Di Matteo this morning, Abramovich wants him to start work immediately, but it is not straightforward.

The fact that Guardiola is enjoying
himself in New York, but it has not prevented him opening talks with
Chelsea over the position.

Break: Pep Guardiola has been spending time with his children in America, including at the Ryder Cup

On top of the world: Barcelona's jubilant players throw their manager Guardiola in the air after beating Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley

They were so far advanced after
Chelsea’s defeat against Shakhtar that Abramovich became increasingly
excited and confident that he had finally landed the Catalan coach.

Abramovich has become obsessed with Guardiola’s work and wants him at Chelsea to emulate his achievements at the Nou Camp.

Chelsea had started the season with
the chance to win seven trophies and were already down to five after
defeats in the Community Shield and the shocking 4-1 Super Cup defeat
against Atletico Madrid in Monaco.

Guardiola won 14 trophies at Barcelona, including three La Liga titles, two Champions League titles and the FIFA World Club Cup.

Shake on it: Guardiola had a fiery relationship with Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho in his time at Barca

Although the assumption at Chelsea is that the European Cup is the main target, Abramovich demands success at every level.

Guardiola’s Barcelona team won two
Copa del Rey titles, the Supercopa de Espana three times and the UEFA
Super Cup twice during during four incredible years at the Nou Camp.

Abramovich had given the squad some
gentle reminders after turning up at the training ground unannounced
following Juve’s comeback at Stamford Bridge on Sept 19.

He asked the manager, players and questions about the start to the season, but left unimpressed.

After they were beaten in the
Donetsk, they then lost their grip on the Barclays Premier League when
they finished with nine men against Manchester United.